The TT Football Club

Benat is awesome but I don't think Betis will let him go considering how high up in the table they are. After Malaga's shock loss at the Riazor today Betis are joint 4th place, leaving them several points above 6th place Valencia. No club that size would let their best player leave in January when they could possibly qualify for Champions League football with him in their arsenal for the remainder of the season.

Click to expand...

You could be right yeah, it would probably have to be the summer for him. Malaga's financial problems would make it easier to get Isco in January, as I said though, with Mata, Hazard, Oscar, de Bruyne and Piazon and Feruz for the future, another number 10 would be a bit much.

It's strange how the club don't go for any central midfielders, in recent years we've lost Ballack, Meireles, Essien and probably Lampard in the summer. When we still had those the club wanted Modric two years ago, we didn't get him, but they obviously saw it as an area they needed to improve. If anything the situation has got worse there, it's strange.

You could be right yeah, it would probably have to be the summer for him. Malaga's financial problems would make it easier to get Isco in January, as I said though, with Mata, Hazard, Oscar, de Bruyne and Piazon and Feruz for the future, another number 10 would be a bit much.

It's strange how the club don't go for any central midfielders, in recent years we've lost Ballack, Meireles, Essien and probably Lampard in the summer. When we still had those the club wanted Modric two years ago, we didn't get him, but they obviously saw it as an area they needed to improve. If anything the situation has got worse there, it's strange.

Click to expand...

I think Isco deserves to be at a club where he'll get regular playing time, not at Chelsea where he'll have to compete with all the players you mentioned for a spot at the #10 position. If he came, it would probably be harder to keep a starting spot in Chelsea's midfield than Spain's midfield. He should go to a club like Arsenal or Swansea that would play him every week, or even a club like Newcastle could use him.

Yeah you're right it would have to be over the summer for Benat, and by that time he'll be 27 and that seems a little old for the cash Betis will demand for him. I'd prefer someone a tad younger who could provide some steel to the midfield who can sit deep with Luiz and make that deep pass, make a run forward, break up the opposition, or bring the match to a standstill. He could tag-team with Luiz to make runs forward or attack. Like a combination of Mascherano, Pirlo and Fabregas. Although I fear that a player of that statue probably doesn't exist, and if he does, his club aren't willing to sell him.

I think Isco deserves to be at a club where he'll get regular playing time, not at Chelsea where he'll have to compete with all the players you mentioned for a spot at the #10 position. If he came, it would probably be harder to keep a starting spot in Chelsea's midfield than Spain's midfield. He should go to a club like Arsenal or Swansea that would play him every week, or even a club like Newcastle could use him.

Yeah you're right it would have to be over the summer for Benat, and by that time he'll be 27 and that seems a little old for the cash Betis will demand for him. I'd prefer someone a tad younger who could provide some steel to the midfield who can sit deep with Luiz and make that deep pass, make a run forward, break up the opposition, or bring the match to a standstill. He could tag-team with Luiz to make runs forward or attack. Like a combination of Mascherano, Pirlo and Fabregas. Although I fear that a player of that statue probably doesn't exist, and if he does, his club aren't willing to sell him.

Click to expand...

Isco does deserve to play regularly, i'm sure he will have his pick of where to go in the summer. I know Man City want him, he'd be an upgrade on Nasri for sure. Man Utd could use him, with Kagawa not really hitting it off and a replacement for Scholes still needed. I could see him at Barcelona or Real Madrid too, getting alot of playing time.

You're right about Benat's age, he's a bit of a late developer. He is more of a deep lying playmaker though, that's usually a position where it takes a long time to master, but they usually get better with age and play for longer. Pirlo is probably better than he's ever been these days, even though his legs are pretty much gone someone who can orchestrate things and get the ball to the players who can do damage is something priceless. I'm not saying Benat is the one to do that, but it's probably one of the only positions I wouldn't be too worried about going for someone older. Who knows, maybe Modric will be available if their new manager in the summer doesn't fancy him

So I thought it couldn't get any stranger, and then I turned on ESPN3 this morning only to see that they are broadcasting....the world cup of table football. Probably the oddest thing I've ever watched.

Isco does deserve to play regularly, i'm sure he will have his pick of where to go in the summer. I know Man City want him, he'd be an upgrade on Nasri for sure. Man Utd could use him, with Kagawa not really hitting it off and a replacement for Scholes still needed. I could see him at Barcelona or Real Madrid too, getting alot of playing time.

Click to expand...

Well Nasri is crap and only was good for Arsenal for a few seasons and City don't play him in the same role Arsenal did. Kagawa still needs more time, he hasn't even been there a full season yet. He's class, people seem to forget just how young he actually is and how good he was in his first season with Dortmund. He'll come good.

You're right about Benat's age, he's a bit of a late developer. He is more of a deep lying playmaker though, that's usually a position where it takes a long time to master, but they usually get better with age and play for longer. Pirlo is probably better than he's ever been these days, even though his legs are pretty much gone someone who can orchestrate things and get the ball to the players who can do damage is something priceless. I'm not saying Benat is the one to do that, but it's probably one of the only positions I wouldn't be too worried about going for someone older. Who knows, maybe Modric will be available if their new manager in the summer doesn't fancy him

Click to expand...

Then maybe we should sign Pirlo? I don't want Modric anymore, he's not that good anyway.

So I just took in the second half of the Real Sociedad-Real Madrid match (Real won 4-3 thanks to a cool free kick by Ronaldo) and at the end the commentator mentioned that Casillas was looking to leave the Bernebeau?

So I just took in the second half of the Real Sociedad-Real Madrid match (Real won 4-3 thanks to a cool free kick by Ronaldo) and at the end the commentator mentioned that Casillas was looking to leave the Bernebeau?

Surely he misspoke?

Click to expand...

I think Mourinho will leave in the summer That should be enough to change his mind!

I think Mourinho will leave in the summer That should be enough to change his mind!

Click to expand...

Yeah I think their relationship has reached the breaking point, hasn't it? He's been dropped twice in the past few weeks, surely that is unacceptable for a man considered to be the best on the planet?

I think a majority of Real's squad aside from Ronnie and perhaps the likes of Modric and Essien don't like Mou and are starting to resent him. I've heard Ozil isn't particularly happy there anymore because his relationship with Mou is deteriorating quickly. If that's true, Roman should sign him up, whilst Chelsea have got a abundance of players like him, Ozil is amazing and would walk into Chelsea's XI.

Yeah I think their relationship has reached the breaking point, hasn't it? He's been dropped twice in the past few weeks, surely that is unacceptable for a man considered to be the best on the planet?

I think a majority of Real's squad aside from Ronnie and perhaps the likes of Modric and Essien don't like Mou and are starting to resent him. I've heard Ozil isn't particularly happy there anymore because his relationship with Mou is deteriorating quickly. If that's true, Roman should sign him up, whilst Chelsea have got a abundance of players like him, Ozil is amazing and would walk into Chelsea's XI.

That's a huge number of big players to of fallen out with. His relationship with the media there has fallen apart too I think, he threatened a journalist before Christmas. I see papers are running polls asking who should be their manager next year, they always do that when a manager is a dead man walking.

So I just took in the second half of the Real Sociedad-Real Madrid match (Real won 4-3 thanks to a cool free kick by Ronaldo) and at the end the commentator mentioned that Casillas was looking to leave the Bernebeau?

Surely he misspoke?

Click to expand...

Livid with the referee for giving Madrid the free kick despite the defender winning the ball. Are Spanish referees scared of Ronaldo?

That's a huge number of big players to of fallen out with. His relationship with the media there has fallen apart too I think, he threatened a journalist before Christmas. I see papers are running polls asking who should be their manager next year, they always do that when a manager is a dead man walking.

Click to expand...

Well they'll all stay if Mou is sacked or if they win it all in Europe this season, which might happen. But if that doesn't go to plan, Chelsea should fax over a 40 million bid for the tandem of Khedira and Ozil. That would be amazing to see those two in Chelsea blue. I'd also happy to see Essien back at the club but he and his knees seem a bit happier in Spain where the opposing teams don't try and kick you to death every week.

Mou's fallen out with the media since day one, the way they have 100% access to the dressing room and training sessions isn't something he really agrees with. He's been a major shake-up to the way things are done in Spain and I don't think anyone is happy about that. I think something similar happened with Mou in Italy and that sped up his departure from Inter. I know Perez is ripshit that he can't select the XI and tactics like he used to be able to. The socios don't seem to be too happy either, they booed Mou before and after the match and I reckon his relationship is so bad with them that even if he wins out the season and takes the Champions League they'll still force him out.

The only problem is that they have nobody that can take over such a club, unless the rumors of Jogi Lowe taking over are true.

Livid with the referee for giving Madrid the free kick despite the defender winning the ball. Are Spanish referees scared of Ronaldo?

PES6 hero Xabi Prieto was excellent.

Click to expand...

Yeah it wasn't much of a foul, I for one thought the ball was won cleanly but the referees apparently didn't see it that way. They aren't scared of Ronnie but moreso of Real Madrid as an institution and their political power in terms of having 49.5% control over La Liga as a whole. (Barcelona own another 49.5% with the other 18 teams having a whopping 1% control collectively).

Xabi Prieto was great, his third goal was a good one, an exquisite touch followed by a calmly taken shot into the far corner.

Well...he is the best player in the world over the last year or so. And the few years before that..

I'm no fan of Barcelona, but even I have to admit it couldn't in all seriousness go to anyone else.

He's one of a kind. And he'll only stop winning Ballon d'Or if his form drops (or gets injured) and/or another player has a better year than him.

Click to expand...

He truly is special isn't he? I mean, I'm no Barcelona fan either, but Messi is just something else, watching him at top form is just breathtaking. His control at pace is not of this planet. The scariest thing is that he's still two years from hitting his prime. And I like Messi as a person too, he's humble and in this day and age, it's impressive to see such a player commit to being a one-club-man for his entire career. Class.

Well...he is the best player in the world over the last year or so. And the few years before that..

I'm no fan of Barcelona, but even I have to admit it couldn't in all seriousness go to anyone else.

He's one of a kind. And he'll only stop winning Ballon d'Or if his form drops (or gets injured) and/or another player has a better year than him.

Click to expand...

Nah it's just the we-recognize-the-fact-that-Messi-isn't-human ceremony.

Come on mate, 91 goals in a single year! That's absurd!

Click to expand...

Not talking about Messi, and yes about the team of choice, the pathetic mixture of RM + Barcelona only players plus Garcia.

I read it somewhere. I'm sure it's further.

Are you from São Paulo? I will be moving there in August, can you tell me about the city?

Click to expand...

It's about 5 hours from car, 2 and 1/2 hour is a physical impossibility. The train stuff, is still far away in the future.

Yes I am from there.

Some good points are the cultural, culinary, night life diversity. Variety to all tastes in these areas. Lots of museums (in the wealthy areas) many free, with a huge variety of themes, culinary from many places of the world and from another states (although can be very expensive in the fancier restaurants, richer areas), huge number of night clubs with plenty of variety of music.
An area that it is average is the number of public sportive facilities. You can find a decent number of public basketball and football fields to play in parks. But don't expect to find tennis courts to play, with a few exceptions (and nearly always with another people to share with). There are, of course private courts, but as with many things here, it is expensive.
The city is close the several cities in the coast (São Paulo actually has sea view and ends at sea level, bot nobody lives in these places), where you can spend weekends and holidays if you have a car. The cost is affordable if a careful research of hotels is made. This in December and January the high season, in other months is even better like February to May. In these times the water is still warm and from the end February or beginning of March until middle may the rain diminishes dramatically while the water keeps nice and the cities get emptier. The closest cities are about 1 hour driving, the farthest away 2 and 1/2h. On the new year and carnaval, however, costs arises exponentially, plus the traffic in the highways becomes unbearable

The bad points are the overall ugliness of the city (not really in the richer areas, but most city has ugly architecture, bad painting of the buildings, too many energy wires in nearly everywhere, favelas aren't pretty and homeless people that generates garbage around them isn't either). It was worst a few years ago until the former mayor was able to approve a law that limited large size advertising posters from the trade, and banned it in buildings and another places, this made a big difference in the central area, mainly.
The public transportation is bad overall, too many traffic make the buses run slowly overall in the first half of the morning and at the end of afternoon, beginning of night.
Many bus lines are too crowded in these periods. But all depends from where you live and to where you go. There are many good ones too. The city needs more exclusive bus lanes. Let's see what the new administration that is beginning now does in the next four years.

Subway covers an area too limited, which make it too crowded in the periods that I mentioned. This together with the bad education of the general population slowdowns the trains due to people that secure the doors to enter in already too crowded trains, forcing all trains behind it to stop until it can continue.
The trains are too slow and there are too few of them, which make the long daily travels of the unfortunate people that leaves the extremes of the city, or leave the peripheral cities to work in the central area have to endure fairly long travels standing up, which makes for a very educated dispute for the train seats.
The pollution (air pollution due to the excess of cars, the main rivers are polluted and smell badly) is bothersome.
The climate is subtropical, so not cold neither very hot. In the winter you probably has about ten days on average in which the temperature falls below 10°C in most of the city.
On the summer temperature regularly goes in the inferior 30°.
Due to his altitude in most city (650-800 meters), the nights are fresher than in most state capitals, which makes easier to sleep at night (not in this year unfortunately)
The drivers don't respect much pedestrians, although it improved a bit with a new traffic education campaign that started last year.

By last, the city is absurdly expensive. It's more expensive than New York or London last time I saw.

Quite a few negative points, right . This is an overall view of here, taking into account the life of 11 million of it's inhabitants. It's a big city in a undeveloped country. For you, I guess it all depends to where you will live and work. Depending on it's place, it might be easy to avoid most of the downfalls and enjoy the good points, making it a worthy experience.

I saw a documentary a few months back talking about the traffic in Sao Paulo, they said the skies are full of helicopters, it's the only way the rich travel throughout the city. Not sure how true it is, interesting though

I saw a documentary a few months back talking about the traffic in Sao Paulo, they said the skies are full of helicopters, it's the only way the rich travel throughout the city. Not sure how true it is, interesting though

Click to expand...

Yeah I've heard the same thing from one of my professors this past semester, although I don't know how true it is either, she's from Rio and as such detests anything and everything Sao Paulo.

Not talking about Messi, and yes about the team of choice, the pathetic mixture of RM + Barcelona only players plus Garcia.

It's about 5 hours from car, 2 and 1/2 hour is a physical impossibility. The train stuff, is still far away in the future.

Yes I am from there.

Some good points are the cultural, culinary, night life diversity. Variety to all tastes in these areas. Lots of museums (in the wealthy areas) many free, with a huge variety of themes, culinary from many places of the world and from another states (although can be very expensive in the fancier restaurants, richer areas), huge number of night clubs with plenty of variety of music.
An area that it is average is the number of public sportive facilities. You can find a decent number of public basketball and football fields to play in parks. But don't expect to find tennis courts to play, with a few exceptions (and nearly always with another people to share with). There are, of course private courts, but as with many things here, it is expensive.
The city is close the several cities in the coast (São Paulo actually has sea view and ends at sea level, bot nobody lives in these places), where you can spend weekends and holidays if you have a car. The cost is affordable if a careful research of hotels is made. This in December and January the high season, in other months is even better like February to May. In these times the water is still warm and from the end February or beginning of March until middle may the rain diminishes dramatically while the water keeps nice and the cities get emptier. The closest cities are about 1 hour driving, the farthest away 2 and 1/2h. On the new year and carnaval, however, costs arises exponentially, plus the traffic in the highways becomes unbearable

The bad points are the overall ugliness of the city (not really in the richer areas, but most city has ugly architecture, bad painting of the buildings, too many energy wires in nearly everywhere, favelas aren't pretty and homeless people that generates garbage around them isn't either). It was worst a few years ago until the former mayor was able to approve a law that limited large size advertising posters from the trade, and banned it in buildings and another places, this made a big difference in the central area, mainly.
The public transportation is bad overall, too many traffic make the buses run slowly overall in the first half of the morning and at the end of afternoon, beginning of night.
Many bus lines are too crowded in these periods. But all depends from where you live and to where you go. There are many good ones too. The city needs more exclusive bus lanes. Let's see what the new administration that is beginning now does in the next four years.

Subway covers an area too limited, which make it too crowded in the periods that I mentioned. This together with the bad education of the general population slowdowns the trains due to people that secure the doors to enter in already too crowded trains, forcing all trains behind it to stop until it can continue.
The trains are too slow and there are too few of them, which make the long daily travels of the unfortunate people that leaves the extremes of the city, or leave the peripheral cities to work in the central area have to endure fairly long travels standing up, which makes for a very educated dispute for the train seats.
The pollution (air pollution due to the excess of cars, the main rivers are polluted and smell badly) is bothersome.
The climate is subtropical, so not cold neither very hot. In the winter you probably has about ten days on average in which the temperature falls below 10°C in most of the city.
On the summer temperature regularly goes in the inferior 30°.
Due to his altitude in most city (650-800 meters), the nights are fresher than in most state capitals, which makes easier to sleep at night (not in this year unfortunately)
The drivers don't respect much pedestrians, although it improved a bit with a new traffic education campaign that started last year.

By last, the city is absurdly expensive. It's more expensive than New York or London last time I saw.

Quite a few negative points, right . This is an overall view of here, taking into account the life of 11 million of it's inhabitants. It's a big city in a undeveloped country. For you, I guess it all depends to where you will live and work. Depending on it's place, it might be easy to avoid most of the downfalls and enjoy the good points, making it a worthy experience.

Click to expand...

Well considering I'm from the NYC metro area I am completely aware of how expensive it is. You're saying Sampa is more expensive than NYC? Oh dear, I'm going to have to drive a hard bargain when my boss asks me how much I expect to get paid.

I know football is popular, but is playing a pick-up match pretty easy to do? I'm a big fan of playing a proper 11 a side match if it's possible. Also, is tennis big at all down there? My buddy's mom is from there, he says she's from an area called Jardins, and that their apartment's got a few courts. Are athletic clubs that have things such as a pool, tennis courts and a gym hard to come by? I like to get a good workout in every day and hopefully there is a place I can do so and swim some laps in as well.

Speaking of which, what football club should I support when I move down there? Which one do you support; are they any good?

And do you know anything of the music scene down in Sao Paulo? I produce music for fun and in addition to obviously going to the clubs, I am always looking for other people to collaborate with and knowing where a bunch of musicians hang out is always helpful.

What part of the city do you live in? Is it nice; would you reccomend it?

Speaking of which, what football club should I support when I move down there? Which one do you support; are they any good?

Click to expand...

I had an old girlfriend who was from Rio, she's a Fluminense fan. Put me off them for life you certainly have alot of choice in Sao Paulo, whichever you're closest to, or who's games are shown most on tv makes sense.

I have to say, to follow Chelsea in this season has been one of the most amusing football experiences I had in the last few years (outside it's defeat to Corinthians at the end of World Club Finals)

The helicopter stuff is of course a bit of an exaggeration but as in many legends there is some true in that.

You're saying Sampa is more expensive than NYC

Click to expand...

Last time a saw in two rankings, São Paulo (and Rio) were ahead of New York and nearly all major cities from western Europe in cost of living. Our currency lost some value in the last months so it mighty have had some improvement in this field, but supposing you are going to receive your pay-check in Reais, this won't help you in anything. Great for tourists.

I know football is popular, but is playing a pick-up match pretty easy to do? I'm a big fan of playing a proper 11 a side match if it's possible

Click to expand...

I guess that's more dependent of your social circle than court availability. To get 22 guys to play in a certain hour, in a certain place might not be the easiest thing in the world. I would say it's very dependable on lucky. You make a friend, he has a friend that already belongs a group that uses to play regularly is probably the easiest way around. When I go to some public parks, the larger fields are normally the ones that are less used.

Also, is tennis big at all down there

Click to expand...

No, it is not. It got on the spotlight during Guga's time, but that it is far behind now.
Tennis has the second best tv coverage of all the sports. Of course it is pay television only. Only Brasil open is aired on convencional tv.

he says she's from an area called Jardins, and that their apartment's got a few courts

Click to expand...

That means that it is likely a very high-level building to have tennis courts in one of most expensive areas from city. Jardins means gardens, it is a more of a generic term to assign a region of city than a formally delimited area. Nice place

The public court availability is limited as I talked before, you would have to share it most of the time. There is many places with courts to rent, but is fairly expensive last time I checked. Join a club would be the best thing to do, since you also want to exercise and swim. The question is if you would live nearby clubs that aren't prohibitively expensive or\and are willing to accept new members. I remember Ronaldo having problems to join the most expensive club because he needed the indication of several members.

Speaking of which, what football club should I support when I move down there?

Click to expand...

Palmeiras

Which one do you support

Click to expand...

the one above

are they any good?

Click to expand...

Do you mean the one I support? Well.......that is...... a tricky question I have to say

And do you know anything of the music scene down in Sao Paulo? I produce music for fun and in addition to obviously going to the clubs, I am always looking for other people to collaborate with and knowing where a bunch of musicians hang out is always helpful.

Click to expand...

Not really much

What part of the city do you live in? Is it nice; would you reccomend it?

Click to expand...

I live in a district called Perdizes. It is a nice place overall, not far away from the region where the apartment of your buddy's mother it is

Wow, Hazard with a great shot today, apparently that's his weaker foot too. The turn before it was the best part though, sweet little touch and a step before deciding to pop off a 30 yarder with his bad foot.

Wow, Hazard with a great shot today, apparently that's his weaker foot too. The turn before it was the best part though, sweet little touch and a step before deciding to pop off a 30 yarder with his bad foot.

Good power on it too.

Click to expand...

Hazard was good throughout, which is good to see. Going to play away at Stoke in your first season is usually a tough wake up call for a player new to the League, especially in January when it's -10 and freezing! I know he's more used to this kind of weather than someone from a warmer climate, but still.

Hazard was good throughout, which is good to see. Going to play away at Stoke in your first season is usually a tough wake up call for a player new to the League, especially in January when it's -10 and freezing! I know he's more used to this kind of weather than someone from a warmer climate, but still.

Click to expand...

Yeah he's been great. But that's to be expected after what he's done already so far and after his transfer fee.

Shame to see Mou trying to get himself fired in the way he has been, his selection today was awful - the commentators blamed it due to the suspension of Ronaldo but I think that has nothing to do with it, he should haven't of started Modric, and if he wanted to, he should have started with Ozil, Kaka and Modric in the front. The way to win away to a team like Osasuna in the rain is to retain possession, move the ball about in the midfield and create chances and look to break the other team down, and then late into the game throw on wingers and they'll run through the opposition at ease. Awful planning, awful selection, awful tactics. Shame Mou is doing this to such a historic and successful club like Madrid. I like the guy but that's just poor form. I have a feeling that they'll get very far in Europe this year though. Mou's teams often peak the year he leaves, even at Chelsea, where they made it to the Champions League Final the year he was fired.

All credit to Osasuna though, they fought like dogs out there. Good for their fans too.

Shame Mou is doing this to such a historic and successful club like Madrid.

Click to expand...

Scummy club gets what it deserves. How much did Madrid spend to get themselves an inch further than they got with a classy dude like Pellegrini, who was unceremoniously dismissed because he couldn't get a rubbish Madrid + newly acquired Ronaldo and crocked Kaka to overcome all singing, all dancing Guardi-lona.

What i've been finding funny is the media love-in with Lampard recently. How can Chelsea let him leave? He's playing better than he ever has!

Whilst I agree that letting him go is crazy, he's not playing better than he ever has. He's playing at the same level as he has done for the last decade, which is incredibly high. He never really got the credit for how good he was, people decided to save their praise for Steven "not fit to lace Lampard's boots" Gerrard but there you go.

Just a shame it's taken him leaving in a few months for the media to start appreciating how good he really is.

Scummy club gets what it deserves. How much did Madrid spend to get themselves an inch further than they got with a classy dude like Pellegrini, who was unceremoniously dismissed because he couldn't get a rubbish Madrid + newly acquired Ronaldo and crocked Kaka to overcome all singing, all dancing Guardi-lona.

Click to expand...

Bite your tongue! Madrid is a beautiful club, and Pelli was sacked because he wasn't good enough! Ronnie deserved and deserves better!

Obviously, that's sarcasm. Pelli is class and is tearing it up at Malaga despite the hell that their owner's troubles has put the club through. Good for him, he was awesome at Villarreal, shame Madrid stole him when they did, and then the domino effect is that Villarreal went down and are struggling in turmoil in La Segunda.

Poor Villarreal. Such a great club going through the worst of it all right now, the injuries, the relegation, the firesale, the whole thing. Hell, even their best player, Rossi, whom they turned down a 30 million pound bid from Barcelona for, has now departed to Fiorentina for a measly 8 million.

What i've been finding funny is the media love-in with Lampard recently. How can Chelsea let him leave? He's playing better than he ever has!

Whilst I agree that letting him go is crazy, he's not playing better than he ever has. He's playing at the same level as he has done for the last decade, which is incredibly high. He never really got the credit for how good he was, people decided to save their praise for Steven "not fit to lace Lampard's boots" Gerrard but there you go.

Just a shame it's taken him leaving in a few months for the media to start appreciating how good he really is.

Click to expand...

Gerrard is crap and just hooves balls from deep like he's Xabi Alonso or something. I don't know why he's played much these days because he can't run anymore and he has an awful left foot. Frank is still awesome although there are more able players in the team, just talent wise. But he has the heart that is beyond world class. The man oozes class and is a testament to the club's progress since coming there. He should be around as he wants to be and then offered a coaching role if he so desires. He is needed at our club until he says otherwise. He IS Chelsea and the mindset he has needs to be around the youngsters and understood by them. Chances are he'll leave the club in the summer but he'll leave as their alltime top scorer. He'll exit the Bridge with his head held high.

Gerrard is crap and just hooves balls from deep like he's Xabi Alonso or something. I don't know why he's played much these days because he can't run anymore and he has an awful left foot. Frank is still awesome although there are more able players in the team, just talent wise. But he has the heart that is beyond world class. The man oozes class and is a testament to the club's progress since coming there. He should be around as he wants to be and then offered a coaching role if he so desires. He is needed at our club until he says otherwise. He IS Chelsea and the mindset he has needs to be around the youngsters and understood by them. Chances are he'll leave the club in the summer but he'll leave as their alltime top scorer. He'll exit the Bridge with his head held high.

Click to expand...

Gerrard was named as one of the England players of the year, no mention of Lampard to be in the running, funny really!

Abramovich wants to get rid of the big personalities so the next manager in the summer can come in with full control to start a new era. It makes sense in theory I suppose, it's just the lack of effort to recruit in midfield that makes it crazy. Modric was linked a few years ago, Fellaini isn't the right way to go.. apart from that the club don't even look at anyone. The last player linked was Mbia from QPR, it says alot when a team like QPR are looking to replace him with a good young player like M'Vila, and Chelsea are interested in their cast offs.

Gerrard was named as one of the England players of the year, no mention of Lampard to be in the running, funny really!

Abramovich wants to get rid of the big personalities so the next manager in the summer can come in with full control to start a new era. It makes sense in theory I suppose, it's just the lack of effort to recruit in midfield that makes it crazy. Modric was linked a few years ago, Fellaini isn't the right way to go.. apart from that the club don't even look at anyone. The last player linked was Mbia from QPR, it says alot when a team like QPR are looking to replace him with a good young player like M'Vila, and Chelsea are interested in their cast offs.

Click to expand...

M'Vila isn't as good as advertised and has a poor attitude to boot. There's a reason Arsenal never signed him despite practically having a deal with Rennes to do so.

Guardiola going to Bayern Munich doesn't really come as a big surprise. They're obviously the best team in their league, with the best squad. They probably should of won the Champions League last year, there isn't really alot of work needed to be done.

I thought Man City would of been the best choice personally, they're building for the future with their new academy and it would of been a great opportunity for him to bring through youngsters. Man City also don't really have a specific identity like Man Utd, Arsenal, even Chelsea to an extent. The chance to better himself and go head to head with Ferguson and Man Utd would of been something you'd of wanted to see. Also for him to push them on in the Champions League and make the club his would of been a big incentive.

I suppose he was scared of going up against the team he wants to manage next in Man Utd. Barcelona, Bayern then Man Utd? Say what you like about Mourinho, doing what he did with Porto, an unfashionable club like Chelsea, then bringing the glory days back to a fallen giant and 3rd team in Italy shows how Guardiola seems to be taking the easy way out.

I'm glad he won't be at Chelsea, I think he's overrated personally and the fit in general wouldn't of made much sense. I just hope it doesn't mean we have to keep Benitez!

^^^ Disappointed Pep won't be coming to the Prem. For a while I thought he might be Man City bound. Suspected Chelsea might not be quite to his tastes. Anyhow, will be fascinating to see if he can make a success of himself at Bayern. For me the jury is still out on him as he had such a stellar side at Barca with the likes of Messi, Inniesta etc at his disposal. Mind you, as indicated above, Bayern are a superb team, so, we'll see...

Pep already has enough money that he doesn't need to sacrifice his dignity like Mourinho, Ancelotti, Big Phil, etc. The only guy who came out on top there is Hiddink and that's because he stopped on time.

Like Fena said, not really sure of Pep's ultimate coaching ability, TBH, I could have coached that Barca squad to the title

Anyone think Poldolski would play well up front as opposed to out wide?

He's not the quickest and hates to track back so that's a big problem when he leaves Gibbs exposed.

Podolski might play better up front than he does on the left, but I think if he ended up as the lone striker / centre of front 3 then we would be even more limited than we are at the moment. His finish against Swansea in the original tie at the Liberty, though, represents the kind of thing we are missing from the centre forward at the moment. The problem with our forwards is that they are either situational players (i.e Walcott), or not quite good enough.

I wonder if after Arsene has had his original £5m offer for Cavani turned down, followed by having his 'improved' offer of £4.5m + Denilson rebuffed, he will turn his attention in the last couple of days of the window back to the young, marketable Vietnamese striker, Panic Buy, who various agents have been recommending to the club.

It's worrying that in the past big name players would be linked with Arsenal, and would be keen to join, but the limitation was that everyone knew the club would not pay the transfer fee, nor the wages, yet now, regardless of whether we were to splash the cash or not, the top players are simply not interested.

If we lose to Chelsea (A) this weekend, and Spurs were to beat United at home, it would be reaching the point where taking the risk of overstretching in the January window would not be worth it, and all funds should be diverted to real, reasoned moves in the summer.

Like Fena said, not really sure of Pep's ultimate coaching ability, TBH, I could have coached that Barca squad to the title

Click to expand...

That is something that has been talked about quite a bit. Vilanova is doing just as good a job so far, maybe he will tail off, but with the squad they have there it seems unlikely.

That's the main reason i'm a bit disappointed to see him go to Bayern Munich, the structure they have there is similar to Barcelona in some ways and I feel he's taken the easy option to stay in a relative comfort zone.

I'd of much prefered to see how he would do trying to do something at Man City or Arsenal. I think managers get judged on the job they do under tougher circumstances, say what you like about Mourinho, he's done some incredible things through pure coaching and getting the most out of what he has to work with. People still talk about the things Ferguson achieved with Aberdeen some 30 years ago, he then came to England and knocked Liverpool off their perch, as he likes to say. Surely the opportunity to come and do the same for City, by winning title after title against the great Man Utd would of been a huge opportunity for an ambitious manager.

I'd of liked to of seen him try and push himself, but hey, will be interesting to see how he does anyway.

Guardiola going to Bayern Munich doesn't really come as a big surprise. They're obviously the best team in their league, with the best squad. They probably should of won the Champions League last year, there isn't really alot of work needed to be done.

I thought Man City would of been the best choice personally, they're building for the future with their new academy and it would of been a great opportunity for him to bring through youngsters. Man City also don't really have a specific identity like Man Utd, Arsenal, even Chelsea to an extent. The chance to better himself and go head to head with Ferguson and Man Utd would of been something you'd of wanted to see. Also for him to push them on in the Champions League and make the club his would of been a big incentive.

I suppose he was scared of going up against the team he wants to manage next in Man Utd. Barcelona, Bayern then Man Utd? Say what you like about Mourinho, doing what he did with Porto, an unfashionable club like Chelsea, then bringing the glory days back to a fallen giant and 3rd team in Italy shows how Guardiola seems to be taking the easy way out.

I'm glad he won't be at Chelsea, I think he's overrated personally and the fit in general wouldn't of made much sense. I just hope it doesn't mean we have to keep Benitez!

Click to expand...

Oh get off it, you would have been over the moon had he chose Chelsea. I would be too.

Rafa hasn't been awful the whole time though, he's gotten it 200% right a few times so far in his reign. But I think lots of people could with Chelsea's first XI.

^^^ Disappointed Pep won't be coming to the Prem. For a while I thought he might be Man City bound. Suspected Chelsea might not be quite to his tastes. Anyhow, will be fascinating to see if he can make a success of himself at Bayern. For me the jury is still out on him as he had such a stellar side at Barca with the likes of Messi, Inniesta etc at his disposal. Mind you, as indicated above, Bayern are a superb team, so, we'll see...

Isn't Benitez a serious contender for Real?

Click to expand...

I'm sure with the football Chelsea have shown to be capable of this season and the availability of Madrid's hotseat will see Benitez take over for a season until they get either Wenger, Klopp or next summer if Germany wins the World Cup, Jogi Lowe. Lowe or Klopp would be absurd at Madrid.

Pep already has enough money that he doesn't need to sacrifice his dignity like Mourinho, Ancelotti, Big Phil, etc. The only guy who came out on top there is Hiddink and that's because he stopped on time.
Like Fena said, not really sure of Pep's ultimate coaching ability, TBH, I could have coached that Barca squad to the title

Anyone think Poldolski would play well up front as opposed to out wide?

He's not the quickest and hates to track back so that's a big problem when he leaves Gibbs exposed.

Click to expand...

I think we all could have. But he knows a thing or two about youth development, which is the real lasting effect he had on Barcelona. Anyone with Messi in their team would do pretty well.

...Personally I hope Guardiola does say no, I don't think it's a good fit. Mourinho is apparently leaving Madrid after this season, his daughter is starting uni in London, he still has a home there, the relationship with Abramovich is better than it's ever been. Ferguson and Mourinho are the best two managers out there for my money, obviously only one of those is possible.

Mourinho and Guardiola are the best two managers available, but I don't really want Guardiola. Abramovich and Mourinho's personal relationship is great, i'm not too sure how they would get on working together again though!

Click to expand...

Alot of people have mentioned it would of been risky appointing Guardiola, managing Barcelona is a special case, any other club is a totally different animal. Maybe he'll be great at it, maybe he won't. Another gamble on a manager wasn't the right move, we've been in limbo pretty much since Mourinho left, with the exception of Ancelotti's first season. Another failure with a manager and it will be another year going nowhere.

This summer is pretty much the last chance to get it right I feel, Guardiola wasn't right for it, he knew it too.

It seems amazing but they have brought in either a Spaniard or an Argentinian, I can't remember which. No doubt a capable manager but not the obvious match for Southampton. We might think that it is a club that has done very well in the last few seasons and now needs to consolidate its position in the Premiership. The club management on the other hand seems to think that world domination beckons. I may eat my words when they become the new Barcelona of course but they seem very ambititous. I suppose there are similarities between Barcelona and Southampton -- both are by the sea, for example. But there also important differences -- Barcelona has a legendary football academy, huge support, an international brand, has always been one of the biggest clubs in Spain and is nowhere near the Isle of Wight. Only a small number of clubs can dominate world football at any time and there are many trying to do it.

Indeed, very strange to be citing 'long term ambition' as the reason when they have a very serious short term goal of avoiding relegation. Very harsh and disrespectful to Adkins after what he's done for the club as it seems they'd been lining up a replacement for him ages ago.

Pochettino may well be a good manager, but he has no experience in English football. The chairman talked of how Pochettino's abilities as an "excellent man manager" helped motivate the move, and yet he doesn't speak English. Just to name two obvious examples, look at how that worked out for Juande Ramos and Capello.

Indeed, very strange to be citing 'long term ambition' as the reason when they have a very serious short term goal of avoiding relegation. Very harsh and disrespectful to Adkins after what he's done for the club as it seems they'd been lining up a replacement for him ages ago.

Click to expand...

Very disrespectful. Didn't he take them all the way from League 1? I can remember them not being that good not too long ago, although they do have a great academy. Stupid decision to fire him. He'll go to a bigger and better club though.

Pochettino may well be a good manager, but he has no experience in English football. The chairman talked of how Pochettino's abilities as an "excellent man manager" helped motivate the move, and yet he doesn't speak English. Just to name two obvious examples, look at how that worked out for Juande Ramos and Capello.

Click to expand...

Juande Ramos was responsible for the only silverware the Spurs have won in the last decade or so.